KERSTI YLLO, PH.D.
Kersti has served on the board since 2017 and lives in Providence. She is a Professor Emerita of Sociology and Women’s Studies at Wheaton College in Massachusetts. She has conducted research and trainings on domestic violence for more than three decades and her most recent book (edited with G. Torres) is Marital Rape: Consent, Marriage and Social Change in Global Context (Oxford U. Press, 2016). She is co-founder of an independent elementary school, The Pinecroft School in Rehoboth. She earned her B.A. from Denison University and both her Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of New Hampshire.
PRUTHA PATEL
VICE PRESIDENT
Prutha has served on the board since 2017 and lives in Providence. She is Vice President and Controller at Patel Investments. Previously she was Vice President of Orange Leaf Yogurt RI and Greater MA territory. She earned her B.A. from Boston University, is Founder of The Lupus Support Group of Rhode Island, and serves on the Miriam Hospital Board of Governors.
Erin Biebuyck
Erin joined the board in 2022. She is Director of Development for Engineering and Physics at Brown University. She earned degrees in history, social policy, and East European Studies from Michigan State University and Indiana University. Erin began her career studying the history of sexuality in communist Romania, before moving into the nonprofit sector as a case manager at a domestic violence shelter and later a development associate at a supportive housing agency. Before moving to Rhode Island, she spent six years working at the University of Chicago fundraising for the physical and mathematical sciences. Erin served on the board of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence in Chicago for six years. Erin lives in East Providence with her husband Daniel Potts and her daughter Hazel.
GINA PELLICANO
TREASURER
Gina Pellicano is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Rhode Island. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Rhode Island, where she majored in Accounting and minored in Justice, Law, and Society. Gina is the Senior Manager of Internal Audit at Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island. Previously, Gina was an Audit Director at Citrin Cooperman, where she provided financial statement audits and other accounting services to a diverse range of clients including not-for-profit organizations, skilled nursing facilities, and employee benefit plans. Gina is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants (RISCPA), and a member of RISCPA’s Not-For-Profit Committee and Women’s Council.
MAHRUKH ANWAR
Mahrukh has been involved with Sojourner House since 2017 and joined the board in 2021. She earned her B.S.C. in Geology and her M.S.C. in Environmental and Earth Sciences from the University of Rhode Island. She has taught Geology at Bryant University and the Community College of Rhode Island, and is currently employed at the University of Rhode Island as an Environmental and Geology Professor. She is passionate about environmental and human rights issues, including environmental justice and ethics. She strongly supports the mission of the Sojourner House and the role it plays in the local community.
Joanne Chang
Joanne Chang is an angel investor, adviser, and consultant in startups, with a focus on female founders. She is also a commercial real estate investor and broker, especially mixed use and retail. Joanne received a BS in electrical engineering from MIT and a MBA from Harvard. She calls Providence, Rhode Island home with her three daughters and is a terrible but enthusiastic skier.
Dr. Sapna Chowdhry
Dr. Sapna Chowdhry is a physician who has worked with the Woonsocket community since 2004. She is trained as an Internist and Infectious Disease specialist and is employed by Thundermist Health Center as a Medical Director since 2014. She is faculty at Alpert Medical School where she teaches a professionalism course that aims to reduce/eliminate bias and promote inclusive practice of medicine. She cares deeply about the under-served community but also understands that domestic violence and human trafficking affect all strata of society. She has joined the board of directors of Sojourner House to continue to advocate, support, and work with this subset of individuals.
JUDITH CLARE
Judith has served on the board since 2015 and lives in Providence She recently retired after serving as Director of The Amica Center for Career Education at Bryant University. She is also a Board Member of The Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England, Smithfield Rotary Club, and on the Board of Directors of Executive Women’s Golf Association. Judy also volunteers at the Rhode Island Free Clinic, is a member of The Commission on Disabilities and on the advisory board of The Rhode Island Business Leaders Network. She earned her master’s in Education Counseling as well as a certificate of advanced graduate studies from Rhode Island College.
EDWARD D’AREZZO
Edward has served on the board since 2017 and lives in Cranston. He is retired from the RI Department of Health after 36 years and serving as the Associate Director of Health. He was also an Adjunct Professor in Economics, Marketing, Finance, and Human Resources at Bryant University, Providence College, University of Rhode Island, Johnson and Wales university, and Roger Williams University. He is a Leadership Rhode Island 2008 alumnus and also serves on the RI Pace Board and Nursing Assistant Professional Board. He earned his B.A. in Economics from Providence College and and M.A. in Economics from Tufts University
JUSTINE A. DUNLAP
Justine is Professor of Law at the University of Massachusetts School of Law, where she teaches Family Law, Family Law Practice, Civil Procedure, and Access to Justice. Justine also directed a domestic violence clinic at American University Law School and has published articles in the area. Justine was a Staff Attorney and Managing Attorney in the family branch of The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia. She was later Director of the Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect in the D.C. Superior Court. Justine lives in Providence and volunteered at Sojourner House before joining the board in 2019.
KEVIN ESCUDERO, PH.D.
Kevin has served on the board since 2016 and lives in Providence. Kevin is Assistant Professor of American Studies and Ethnic Studies and affiliated faculty in The Department of Sociology, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and Population Studies Training Center at Brown University. Professor Escudero’s research interests focus on the areas of race/ethnicity, immigration and citizenship, and law and social movements. He earned his Ph.D. from University of California Berkeley and his M.S.L. from the Yale Law School.
Richard Godfrey
Richard has served on the board since 2021 and has spent his entire career seeking to build vibrant communities with safe, affordable homes for everyone. From 1993 to 2015, Richard was Executive Director of RIHousing. Richard has also worked in housing and community development in New Jersey and New York in roles in government, private law practice, consulting, and financial advisory services. Over the years, Richard has served in leadership positions on dozens of diverse organizations including the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Princeton (NJ) Regional Schools, the National Council of State Housing Finance Agencies, the Providence Foundation, and Meeting Street.
Mary Halpin
Mary has served on the board since 2021 and is currently the Chief Human Resources Officer, Market and Community Development lead at Centreville Bank in Warwick RI. Prior to Joining Centreville Bank, Mary spent 19 years at Fidelity Investments in a variety of human resources roles, including her last role where she was a human resource Vice President for the Workplace Investing business. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Mary worked in business partner roles at other financial services companies as well as many retail organizations. Mary is a certified executive coach who works with a variety of leaders in the non-profit and for-profit arena.
Mary holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of Holy Cross with a major in Psychology. Mary also is an active volunteer and works with nonprofits focused primarily on helping women re-enter the workforce. Mary is an avid reader and a lifelong learner who thrives when helping others achieve their fullest potential.
Mary and her husband, Dan Parent reside in Providence RI.
TARA S. MCCLARY
Tara has served on the board since 2016 and lives in Sutton, MA. She is an Assistant Vice President at Amica Mutual Insurance Company. She earned her B.A. in Economics from Vassar College and her Master of Liberal Arts, Management from Harvard University Extension School.
Neal J. McNamara
Neal has been on the Board since 2022. He is Senior Counsel with Nixon Peabody, specializing in employment law, after having served as a Partner for many years. He has worked extensively in the past with the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and has served on a number of non-profit boards. He has degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University and New York University. He lives in East Greenwich with his wife, Elizabeth, and son, James.
Lamel Moore
Lamell joined the board in 2022. He currently serves as the Community Connections & partnership Liaison for the Pawtucket School Department. Previously lamel has served as the Executive Director/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Webster – Dudley and as Executive Director of the Greater Providence YMCA Providence Branch. Outside of work, Lamel serves as a board member for Aids Care Ocean State (ACOS) and is a regional volunteer in Sigma Pi Fraternity, Intl. He also enjoys competing in Crossfit competitions, spending time with his wife of twelve years and daughter, and competing in local homebrew competitions. Lamel is also a recent graduate of the Leadership Rhode Island (Rho II) Class.
XENIA MURPHY
Xenia joined the board in 2021 and has served on the Fund Development Committee since 2018. Xenia lives in East Greenwich. She is a Director of Performance Management at Midland Credit Management / Encore Capital Group. Prior to joining MCM, Xenia worked for Capital One Financial Corporation. Xenia earned her B.A. from James Madison University.
ELIZABETH O’NEILL
Elizabeth has served on the board since 2019 and lives in East Greenwich. As principal of Elizabeth O’Neill Consulting, she helps CEOs and Founders get better business results by improving their people and culture practices and through executive coaching. Elizabeth is also an advisor for The Social Enterprise Greenhouse. She holds her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Chicago and her MSW from Columbia University.
Brayden puddington
Brayden has served on the board since 2020. He is currently a Wealth Advisor for Bernstein Private Wealth Management focusing his practice on supporting the nonprofit and philanthropic communities. Previously, he worked as a Commercial Lender for Citizens Bank and Wells Fargo Bank in the Rhode Island and Boston markets. He earned his B.S. in Business Administration from Northeastern University. Brayden resides in East Greenwich with his wife, Mia, and son, Wolfe.
henry silva
Henry has served on the board since 2019 and lives in Providence. He is a CPA and Shareholder/Director of Emerging Business Group at KLR-one of the largest New England accounting firms.